Recent Developments in Indian Politics Class 12 Political Science Chapter 8 CBSE Notes 2025-26

The chapter on Recent Developments in Indian Politics focuses on the significant political changes and turning points in India from the late 1980s to recent times, with particular emphasis on the 1990s and the decades that followed. This era witnessed the decline of single-party dominance, the rise of coalition politics, increased assertion by marginalized groups, transformation in economic policy, and important developments on communal, secular, and democratic fronts.

Several developments shaped Indian politics as the 1980s ended. The most prominent was the defeat of the Congress party in the 1989 Lok Sabha elections, which ended its long-standing dominance known as the ‘Congress system.’ Although Congress remained influential and returned to form governments later, its central, unchallenged position in Indian politics was weakened.

• The ‘Mandal issue’ became central, following the implementation of the Mandal Commission’s recommendations for Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservations in central government jobs, sparking widespread protests and debates over social justice and representation.
• India’s economic policy shifted dramatically in 1991 with new economic reforms or the structural adjustment programme, focusing on liberalization and privatization.
• The Ram Janmabhoomi movement shaped debates around secularism and democracy, leading up to the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Temple after the Supreme Court’s verdict in 2019.
• The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991 led to leadership changes both in the Congress party and the country, with Narsimha Rao becoming Prime Minister.

Coalition governments became the new norm post-1989. The National Front, a coalition of Janata Dal and regional parties, came to power with outside support from the BJP and Left. This marked the move away from one-party dominance to an era where multiple parties, especially regional ones, shaped alliances and national government formation. No single party secured a majority in Parliament until the BJP’s clear win in 2014.

• Eleven coalition or minority governments were formed at the Center between 1989 and 2014, reflecting political instability and the need for practical alliances.
• Regional parties emerged as key power brokers in national politics, influencing Coalition arrangements and policy decisions.

The Mandal Commission’s recommendations, first made in 1980 but implemented in 1990, reserved 27% of government jobs for OBCs. While similar reservation systems existed in southern states from the 1960s, North India saw heightened activism after this, notably due to leaders such as Karpoori Thakur and B.P. Mandal. The Supreme Court, in the Indira Sawhney case (1992), upheld this reservation, and today, all major parties support OBC reservation.

• Parties representing backward castes, such as the Janata Dal, became prominent while support for the Congress among these groups declined.
• New parties like the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) focused on Dalits, OBCs, and minorities, dramatically increasing their political presence, especially in states like Uttar Pradesh where the BSP even formed governments.

The 1980s and 1990s saw the rise of identity and religion-based politics. The formation and growing influence of the BJP after 1980, its shift from ‘Gandhian Socialism’ to Hindutva, and issues like the Shah Bano case positioned the party as a challenger to Congress’s secular image. The long-standing Ayodhya dispute, highlighted by the 1992 demolition and subsequent Supreme Court resolution in 2019, influenced debates on secularism and national identity.

• The Supreme Court’s 2019 unanimous decision provided the land for the Ram Temple and an alternative site for the mosque, reflecting India’s capacity to resolve sensitive issues via democratic institutions.
• Debates about minority rights, legal reforms, and the meaning of Indian secularism intensified in this period.

Through the 1990s and 2000s, electoral competition mainly centered around Congress and BJP, with other parties joining them in broader coalitions: the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and National Democratic Alliance (NDA). BJP’s clear majority wins in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections marked a shift, yet coalition strategies and partnerships remained important for power-sharing.

• In 2014, BJP under Narendra Modi won 282 seats; in 2019, it increased its tally to 303 seats. Despite majorities, NDA coalition partnerships continued.
• Congress, though less dominant, remains a significant political force and maintains alliances with many state and regional parties.

A broad consensus emerged among all key parties after the 1990s on several issues:

1. Agreement on new economic reforms and liberalization.
2. Support for social and political claims of backward classes, including reservation policies.
3. Acceptance of the vital role of state-level (regional) parties in national governance.
4. Preference for pragmatic, power-sharing alliances over rigid ideological commitments.

In the 17th Lok Sabha, the BJP holds 56% of seats, Congress 10%, with the rest divided among parties such as DMK, Shiv Sena, JD-U, BJD, BSP, and others. This distribution depicts the continuing importance of both national and regional parties in Indian parliamentary democracy.

The Indian political landscape continues to evolve. While major parties such as the BJP and Congress play pivotal roles, coalition politics and regional parties remain essential. Issues such as social justice, communal harmony, and economic reforms are central in shaping political debates and policies. The era’s legacy includes consensus-driven decision-making and vibrant multiparty democracy guided by constitutional values.

Class 12 Political Science Chapter 8 Notes – Recent Developments in Indian Politics Revision Key Points

These Class 12 Political Science notes for Chapter 8, "Recent Developments in Indian Politics," provide clear summaries and important facts covering coalition politics, the Mandal issue, secularism, and the rise of new party systems. Convenient bullet points and tables help in quick last-minute revision before exams. Reading these CBSE-recommended revision notes ensures students grasp key concepts and track changes in India’s political landscape.

Students get an easy-to-understand overview of crucial political changes, including the significance of the 2019 Ayodhya verdict and the expansion of reservation policy. These notes are ideal for CBSE board revision and quick reference, making complex events simple to learn. Stay organized and confident about Indian politics since the 1990s with these chapter-wise highlights.